Dreaming of Cake

Dream Cake

I have to say that baking in #lockdown has been a bit strange.   I’ve heard more people talk about baking than ever before and the quest for easy recipes is a constant theme. 

Grandma’s recipe for Dream Cake has been a firm favourite when I’ve made it for events in the past so I’ve been dreaming about baking it in #lockdown. Grandma had some bizarre names for cakes and the reason for the name of this one is lost in the mists of time – but it’s a dream if you like cherries and walnuts.

Dream Cake

5oz/150g butter

5oz/150g sugar

Vanilla extract

3 eggs

8oz/225g self-raising flour

1 level tsp baking powder

3oz/75g cherries

3oz/75g walnuts

Pre heat the oven to 350F, Mark 4, 180 C. Line a square or round cake tin approximately 21-22cms with baking paper. Cream the butter and sugar. Drop in the eggs and beat thoroughly. Add a few drops of vanilla extract. Add the flour, adding the baking powder last of all. Fold in the walnuts and cherries, which have been rolled in flour, saving a few for the top of the cake. Bake in a moderate oven for about 1 hour. 

Meryl says : Don’t forget to wash and dry the cherries before you add them to the mixture so they don’t fall to the bottom of the cake.

Make a dream come true with Dream Cake!

Hands on in Chiswick

Get set and ready to bake

It was hands on in Chiswick when Rose asked me to give a baking lesson for her friends and members of her Boot Camp group at her home. She has an amazing kitchen with an island station which Grandma would have loved. It was perfect for everyone to gather round and join in. I baked Marmalade Spice Cake as the tangy combination of marmalade and ginger is always very popular. Everyone wanted to have a go at weighing, stirring, mixing and tasting and get some baking tips before the cake went in the oven.

Marmalade Spice Cake 

While it was cooking, I talked about the story of Grandma’s life and home baking and there were some samples of the recipes I’d made earlier from  Grandma Abson's Traditional Baking book.

I’d made all the recipes with less sugar. One of the guests commented :  ‘I came and tasted a gorgeous (not overly sweet) cake and have been reading the book and showing it to friends ever since. It’s a gold mine of fantastic recipes. You won't get this from any TV chefs and it’s a breath of fresh air. Thank you Meryl.’

Dream Cake is disappearing

Once the cakes came out of the oven, there was hardly time for them to cool before they had disappeared. Who can resist the smell and taste of home baking warm and aromatic and straight out of the oven? Having a baking lesson is fabulous idea for a party. Huge thanks to Rose for being the perfect host. Let’s get baking!

Boot Camp team photo -  traditional baking experts!